Development of a Power Window Switch with Improved Ergonomics

This paper explains a methodology to develop a Power Window Switch (PWS) that is easy to operate. Many PWS knobs use a pivot movement. The most popular shapes are: 1.Pull-up/Push-down, 2.Rocker, and 3. Toggle.

In the Pull-up/Push-down PWS, the knob motion matches the window motion. Since the design of the knob prevents an object or a part of clothing from catching, and pulling the knob up, potential injury from the window coming up is avoided. The knob top surface of the pull up PWS is pushed down to open the window, and the knob front surface is pulled up to close it. One weakness of this design is that the operating finger posture changes each time the window direction changes, the finger will often become tired with the repetitive posture changes. Another weakness of the Pull-up/Push-down PWS is the flush top surface of the knob to the bezel. The size of the knob and corresponding finger well limits the size of the finger and length of the fingernail.